Hi Bill: I can't speak for everyone but I have found your comments very helpful. Yes, things have changed, and yes, they got more complicated. I appreciate your taking the time and interest to answer the PBS questions. Boyce Tankersley On Sat, Jan 22, 2011 at 7:36 PM, William Aley <aley_wd@me.com> wrote: > About the import permits, >>> >>> Under the previous administration we were handed this process. It seems >>> like the system is a government mess, designed under the rules imposed as >>> the result of 911, it's a system that allows US residents and citizens to >>> conduct computer peer to peer communication. It is also designed by >>> civilians under contract to the government and is not owned by the >>> government. In an effort to spread tax payer dollars back to the civilians, >>> who are in the business of making money. That's the system we got and at >>> this point in time it's what we have to work with. >>> >>> 1. Permits are required for small lots of seed permit and the general >>> "Q-37" permit. All shipments are required to have a Phytosanitary >>> certificate, but not required for the small lots of seed permit. >>> >>> Links that may be helpful >>> ePermits. Designed to be helpful once you get over that annoying >>> verification process. one trick is to click on the map to see validation >>> sites near you, call to make sure they are open,. because of government cut >>> backs some services are limited because of staffing shortages and funding. >>> USDA did not invent it nor was it APHIS idea, it was a system designed >>> and implemented by an elected official using private civilian contractors. >>> USDA does not own nor can we change the system without paying more money to >>> the civilians who are awarded the contract. < >>> http://aphis.usda.gov/permits/…> >>> http://aphis.usda.gov/permits/… >>> Mail/fax can still be used, it will take longer to get a permit because >>> the paper submission is typed into the electronic system by a college >>> student to get to the application to the right permit specialists. The more >>> submissions received, the longer it takes them to get through the in-box. >>> First in first out policy no expedited permits are done even when you have a >>> brother who is an elected official. Its all FOIA documentation. >>> No APHIS cannot hire more people to process permits because there is a >>> hiring freeze in place, and only one person is hired for every two that >>> leave. We are in the age of smaller government. >>> >>> Typing in the permit with epermits yourself means it will go directly to >>> the permit writer. Thus saving time and possible errors. Picture an 18 year >>> old college student at minimum wage processing your application. What level >>> of quality control would you expect? >>> >>> If you apply for a permit know the regulations that you are applying for. >>> 7 CFR319.37 is the regulation to be aware of. Just like getting a >>> driver's license there are reasons why the permit is required. The rules >>> were in place before anyone on this chat group were born and probably many >>> of your grandparents too. Unless of course they are 145 years old, then I >>> apologize. >>> The 587 is the general import permit that most people will need, CITES is >>> another level of import requirements, it's a trade regulation put in place >>> by the "exporting" country, the importing country monitors and when things >>> go wrong have to offer the plants back to the country of origin. >>> links to permits: < >>> http://aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/permits/…> >>> http://aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/permits/… >>> >>> Remember that these are free permits. Not so in all countries. The cost >>> for issuing and monitoring is paid by all taxpayers, >>> The Phytosanitary certificate is part of the international agreements. >>> Shipments can be rejected for lack of this document. >>> PPQ established the small lots of seed permit to help out small business, >>> seed collectors and folks who found it difficult to obtain (cost is >>> prohibitive in some countries) A US Phytosanitary certificate is about 50$ >>> to obtain for US origin exports. >>> < >>> http://aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/… >>> > >>> http://aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/… >>> this may be a good option for you if you do seed exchange into the USA, >>> there are restrictions and every shipment must clear through a Plant >>> Inspection Station. IT is only for seed that have no special restrictions. >>> Know the import requirements first be fore you request or pay for a >>> shipment. >>> >>> There is useful information under the circulars < >>> http://aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/permits/…> >>> http://aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/permits/… >>> for bulbs, seed and plants >>> >>> Bulbs that are precleared is an option from the exporting country, the >>> inspection is the same overseas as if done in the USA. The foreign exporter >>> pays for this service to have a US inspection and inspector in a foreign >>> country, thus not all bulbs are precleared. >>> >>> Just a personal note after being on this chat group for four years now. >>> Please understand that every year I check in and as a result I get the >>> usual comments about my lineage and how much of a plant nazi I am and a few >>> other comments. I realize that this is often individuals not this group. >>> Which I find generally have a keen interest in plants. >>> Please disregard this if you choose, I know I'm long winded and I never >>> seem to make this simple, but regulations are complex and don't always make >>> common sense, changing the federal regulations is a glacial process. My >>> participation in this group is not entrapment, nor am I being a sneaky >>> sleaze, in all honesty I can care less if you want to smuggle or think the >>> government is out to get you personally, just be smart enough to realize >>> that this is a public forum as part of the web. If you bring in dirty plants >>> or an invasive plant it'll be your backyard that is ground zero. I hope your >>> not my neighbor. Very few chat groups have the senior import specialist >>> for plants for planting on their site, trust me I do grow plants and I have >>> a valid import permit just like anyone else. If you have specific details >>> I'll be glad to discuss off line. >>> >>> Bill >>> >> >> _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/ >